Anne Hampson

aka Jane Wilby

Anne Hampson was born on November 28 in England. At age six she had twoambitions: to teach and to write. Poverty after WWI deprived her of aneducation and at 14 she was making Marks & Spencer's blouses at one shilling(5p) each.

She retired when she married. Later, when her marriage broke up, she washomeless with £40 in her purse. She went back to the rag trade and lived ina tiny caravan. But she never forgot her two ambitions, and when ManchesterUniversity decided to trial older women she applied, and three years laterhad achieved one ambition, so set her thoughts on number two.

In 1969, her first novel, Eternal Summer, was accepted five days fromposting and she soon had a contract for 12 more. From the caravan she wentto a small stately home, drove a Mercedes and sailed on the QE2. From thefirst book, came over 125 more written for Mills & Boon, Harlequin andSilhouette. Alan Boon (the Boon of Mills & Boon) and she came up with thetitle for 'Harlequin Presents' over lunch at the Ritz. She suggested to Alanthat they have a historical series. He told her to write one - it was done ina month, entitled Eleanor and the Marquis under the pseudonym Jane Wilby.She has the distinction of being number one in Harlequin Presents,Masquerade and Silhouette. Many of "Presents" have been reprinted many times(some as many as 16) and are now fetching up to $55, being classed as "rare"books.

She has had 3 awards, one at the World Trade Centre where she received astanding ovation from her American fans, who had come from many states justto meet her.

She has written her autobiography, entitled Fate Was My Friend.

She is retired, but in 2005 she wrote two romance and crime novels, both ofwhich were published by Severn House.